Along with Zillie and Ellinjaa Falls, Millaa Millaa Falls are stunning waterfalls encircled by lush rainforests. The waterfalls flow flawlessly to a beautiful waterhole where you can cool down in the cool water. Millaa Millaa Falls is also one of the best day trips from Cairns, Australia.
1. Millaa Millaa Falls: One of the best day trips from Cairns
One of the most well-known waterfalls on Australia’s East Coast is Millaa Millaa Falls, which is situated in the picturesque Atherton Tablelands area of Northern Queensland. It is one of a set of waterfalls in the Atherton region that also includes the Zillie, Ellinjaa, Pepina, and Mungalli waterfalls. It is also tucked away in a lush tropical rainforest.
It is hardly surprising that Millaa Millaa is one of the most photographed waterfalls in Australia, with hundreds of tourists visiting the must-see location every day, given the waterfall’s 18.3 m height and spectacular natural amphitheater. Bringing a picnic rug and swimsuit since the cold, glistening waters are the ideal way to cool off in the warm Cairns weather!
2. How to get to Millaa Millaa Falls from Cairns
The Millaa Millaa Waterfall Circuit can be found close to the little village of Millaa Millaa in the southern Atherton Tablelands in North Queensland. The waterfall circuit road is situated on Theresa Creek Road, roughly 105 kilometers from the busy center of Cairns and 60 kilometers west of Innisfail.
Millaa Millaa, located 1 hour and 40 minutes from Cairns, is the ideal day trip destination because of its verdant gullies and undulating hills covered in forest. Any type of vehicle can access the Waterfall Circuit. However, keep in mind that the road may be tight in some places.
3. Origin of the name
The nearby village of Millaa Millaa inspired the naming of the waterfall. The phrase “Malay Malay,” which in the language of the indigenous Mamu people, refers to the rainforest vine (Elaeagnus triflora), whose fruit was a seasonal food source, is whence the name “Millaa Millaa” originates.
This plant, also known as the Millaa Millaa Vine, can be found all throughout the vicinity. Contrary to popular misconception, the name Millaa Millaa does not mean “water fall,” “many waterfalls,” or “enough water.” Still, it does highlight the significance of the falls to the local culture.
4. How was Millaa Millaa Falls formed?
The volcanic basalt that made up the Millaa Millaa Falls has weathered to form recognizable vertical striations (pipe formations) in the rock’s surface, giving the falls their appealing textured backdrop. With the exception of a grassy observation area facing the falls and a concrete block pad at the water’s edge, the region below the falls is covered in rainforest and has a sizable pool.
One of the most well-known sites in the Tablelands region is made up of more than simply pictures of the falls. The falls not only have a unique landscape that dates back hundreds of years, but they have also been in a number of popular culture movies, TV shows, and commercials.
5. The importance of Millaa Millaa Falls
Aesthetics make the location significant
It is also significant due to its natural beauty and picturesque attributes, as well as its national and international icon status. Local councils and tourism businesses market the Atherton Tablelands using images of the waterfall, one of its most famous natural features. Historical pictures show that the falls’ natural and visual integrity has remained unchanged, but site access, public facilities, and viewing areas have altered.
The site illustrates Queensland’s history
Millaa Falls‘ intimate link with tracks, surveyors, trains, highways, and tourism helped build and settle the Atherton Tableland region, illustrating Queensland’s history. The region around the falls was used as a rest station for early horse and mule pack teams traveling down the Palmerston track to and from the Herberton mining field, a depot for the earliest land surveyors, a camp for Millaa Millaa railway workers, and a quarry for road materials.
For social, cultural, or spiritual reasons, the place is strongly linked to a community
Since the 1950s, the waterfall has been important to the far north Queensland tourism industry. It is also a picnic and swimming spot. The local Mamu Aboriginal people used the waterfall as a seasonal food source and camping spot before European contact. Before Millaa Millaa Township, the waterfall was the area’s first natural landmark.
6. Millaa Millaa Falls in media
The Mysterious Girl Music Video
Remember the iconic music video for Peter Andre’s song “Mysterious Girl,” when he played around with water against lovely waterfalls? The video for that was shot at Millaa Milla Falls, which gave the summery song’s tropical setting.
The Herbal Essence Adverts
The Rainforest – Waterfall Herbal Essence advertisements for the company’s Rainforest Deep Nourishment and Shine shampoo product. They are maybe the most recognizable spot you’ll encounter in this waterfall in popular culture.
Famous for featuring a woman washing her hair in a waterfall, the advertisement features Millaa Millaa Falls.
XXXX Gold Beer Advert
Last but not least, Millaa Millaa Falls was used in the XXXX Gold Beer commercial “Jacko’s Retreat.” It provides the drink with yet another tropical setting.
